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Fishing is like
Baseball
By
Chris Horton
Okay, so
you want to be the next Jay Yelas. So do I, so do millions of anglers
across the country and quite frankly, around the world. Understand
this, you do not go from the local stock tank to Elite 50 overnight.
Sponsors do not just line up at your door, ready to pay for your entry
fees and expenses just because you like to fish. Fishing is like
baseball.
Baseball
has its minor leagues and so does fishing. Single A fishing would be
your local bass clubs. Don’t get me wrong, there are many great club
fishermen but at the club level you will usually be competing against a
smaller number of anglers. It is at this level that you can test your
skill level without shelling out big bucks to do so. Most clubs have a
season standings and an Angler of the Year title to fish for. You will
learn how to fish for points as well as fishing to win a tournament. It
is at this level that you find out what competitive bass fishing is all
about and you figure out exactly what you want from your fishing. Some
of the best fishermen that I have seen fish in clubs and nothing else.
It is not because they are not skilled fishermen; many are excellent
fishermen. It is that they enjoy the comradery and fun that is provided
at the club level.
The next
level of bass fishing is at the state level. There are many team and
individual tournament trails in most states. Here the competition gets
tougher and there are more anglers to compete against. Whereas you were
competing against 20 or so at the club level, you are now competing
against 50-200 at the state level. It is at this level that fishermen
start making a name for themselves. It is also at this level that more
time and effort in preparation is needed. While more time on the water
doesn’t guarantee success, it does increase your chances. Trust me,
there is no substitute for time on the water. Not only are you able to
learn the lake more, but you are able to learn how to fish better.
Every time on the water should be a learning experience. You simply
cannot compete at this level consistently without prefishing. Many
anglers that fish such a trail know the tournament lakes inside and out
and if you have not spent time on the water then you are putting
yourself at a severe disadvantage. By the same token, if you can
compete at the regional level, then you may be ready to take the next
step.
Next is
the AAA of Bass Fishing, the qualifying trails such as the Everstart
Series and the B.A.S.S. Open Trail. Here you actually must qualify to
move on. It is simple, you produce you move up; you don’t , you
don’t.
At the
top of the chart is the Major League. These are the tours that we see
on TV, the Bassmaster Trail and the FLW trail. Realize that the
professional anglers that you see on TV are just that professional.
They have proven themselves at the “minor league” level and have
attracted the sponsors to be able to make a living fishing. Companies
pay these anglers to represent them and they have earned the right and
reputation to do so. Most of us don’t watch Barry Bonds on ESPN and
assume we can just step onto the diamond and hit one into McCovey Cove.
Why then do we watch Kevin Van Dam and assume that we can jump into a
bass boat and catch 20 lbs a day? It takes skill, time, and effort to
develop the skills necessary to be a professional bass fisherman and
just like any sport, those at the top are the best in the business.
Remember,
it’s okay to dream. I too have envisioned myself breakdancing at the
Classic. (Okay maybe not breakdancing but you get the picture). But just
remember being a professional at anything requires time, effort,
determination, and hard work. Bass fishing is no different.
Until next time, good
luck and good fishing.
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